He described Dr Strydom as having an "unparalleled zest for life and the outdoors" and said everyone who knew her was "amazed at her discipline and enthusiasm".

"Maria will be greatly missed — but very fondly remembered — by her many generations of students and colleagues at Monash business school and the broader academic community throughout Australasia," Professor Gray said.

Over the last eight years, Dr Strydom climbed Denali in Alaska, Aconcagua in Argentina, Mount Ararat in Turkey and Kilimanjaro in her continent of birth, Africa.

Before she left for Nepal, Dr Strydom said despite the life-threatening risks of climbing Everest, she felt well-prepared.

"There are certain aspects of the mountain which will be out of our control, such as avalanches and icefalls which have plagued the previous two seasons on Everest," she said.

"We can't worry about this aspect of the climb and the odds are still very small of being caught up in it.

"A very experienced guide in Alaska once told us that of all the things you can regret once you are on the mountain, you will never regret over-training. It is also important to get experience spending long periods on a mountain."

Brigitte Muir, the first Australian woman to climb Everest, extended her sympathies to Dr Strydom's family.

"When we go to the mountains, we are there because we want to be there — we don't have to be there — and that has to be honoured as well," she said.

"My deepest sympathies go to Maria's husband Rob and family and friends, I've been there, I know what it's like to lose someone you love to the mountains."